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rizzo0904 Aug 2nd, 2007 09:21 AM

best chicago pizza
 
My DH and I are going to Chicago for a wedding in October. He has never had Chicago-style pizza. We are staying at the Crowne Plaza near ORD and will not be renting car.

Where can I take him via public transportation for some great pizza?

woodysagoodboy Aug 2nd, 2007 11:03 AM

Chicago is a hot dog town. They don't really do pizza. Sorry.

msdotliz Aug 2nd, 2007 11:11 AM

You can take a train from ORD to downtown, I believe. Lou Malnati's or Giodano's pizza is what I am reading is the best. I used to live outside of Chicago in the burbs and we loved Jake's in Elk Grove Village which is near the airport. Don't know if it is still there though.

otto Aug 2nd, 2007 12:02 PM

loved lou malnati's! great chicago style pizza in this new york pizza fan's opinion.

missypie Aug 2nd, 2007 12:07 PM

We love Due's.

bondgirl78 Aug 2nd, 2007 12:26 PM

giordano's! mmmm

isabellasu Aug 2nd, 2007 02:25 PM

Pizzeria Uno or Due or Gino's East for Chicago-style pizza...yum!

imqueen2u Aug 3rd, 2007 10:57 AM

Chicago IS a hot dog town, but ALSO a PIZZA town...definitely Giordanos and go for the stuffed pizza. Delicious!

Also, if you drink beer, check out Goose Island!!

ChicagoDallasGirl Aug 3rd, 2007 11:40 AM

<Chicago is a hot dog town. They don't really do pizza. Sorry.>

Are you kidding me?

Chicago is well known for its pizza-- thin, stuffed and deep dish. Even here in Dallas there are at least two Chicago-style restaurants that cause folks to drive 40 minutes to an hour to get there and one of them is take-out only! Of course they have dogs, Italian beef, Gyros, and other Windy City favorites, but the draw is the pizza. Hand's down.

Anyway, back to Chicago.

I too recommend Giordano's. That's my number one. Then Home Run Inn, Gino's East, and Lou Malnati's. The latter catered my sister's rehearsal dinner. Scrumptious!

jent103 Aug 3rd, 2007 12:03 PM

I think woodysagoodboy was being sarcastic...

There are tons of posts on Chicago pizza, and no one will ever agree on who is the absolute best. I've been to Geno's, Giordano's and Lou Malnati's, and Lou Malnati's is my favorite of the three. The River North location is near the Merchandise Mart el stop. It involves either a longish walk across the river or a transfer, but it's delicious! However, Giordano's is good too, if you're closer to one of their locations. I didn't really care for Geno's, but that's just personal preference.

CAPH52 Aug 3rd, 2007 12:35 PM

Yes, folks, Woody was kidding.And I think what the OP is really asking for is how she can get to a good pizza place near where she's staying without a car. I haven't jumped in 'cause that's not my area of the 'burbs. I'm not familiar enough with that area to help her. But I sure hope that someone who does know the area will help her.

And I second the recommendation for Goose Island!:S-

woodysagoodboy Aug 3rd, 2007 12:47 PM

You guys are killin' me. I'm off to the Billy Goat Tavern for some fries.

CAPH52 Aug 3rd, 2007 12:53 PM

Following up on msdotliz's post, you can take the el from the airport into the city.

I googled Jake's Pizza and it looks like there's still one in that area. Depending how far it is from your hotel, maybe you could take a cab there.

Also, I'm sure the hotel would be able to recommend a pizza place nearby. And they would know whether there are any Giordano's, etc. in the area.

jent103 Aug 3rd, 2007 01:42 PM

I realized after I reread my post that I should have been more clear: The River North Lou Malnati's is downtown, so you'd take the blue line in from O'Hare, then either transfer at Clark to Merchandise Mart (one stop) or walk across the river. Sorry about that!

rizzo0904 Aug 3rd, 2007 03:58 PM

Thanks everyone. I've been to Giordanos and it was fantastic. Can't wait to see what DH thinks about Chicago pizza. He's a die-hard NY pizza guy.

POlson Aug 3rd, 2007 07:51 PM

take the el downtown from O'Hare. I don't remember the specific exit but it should take you to the north loop area. from there you can take a short cab to Pizzaria Uno or Due (they are kitty corner from each other). Classic Chicago pizza - either the Uno (everything) or a spinach (if you are not a meat lover). Deep dish, cornmeal crust - it takes me back many years but still the best.

DeeBoz Aug 3rd, 2007 08:07 PM

I'm not sure why anyone would say that Chicago is not a pizza town. Are you serious???

Chicago ROCKS pizza exponentially.
Giordano's
Bacino's
Lou Malnati's
Connie's

And this is an abbreviated list of many Chicago pizza gems.

Have a wonderful trip and let us know how the taste test goes after you have returned.


hills27 Aug 3rd, 2007 08:19 PM

If he's a NY pizza guy, he'll probably hate it. I do.

ChicagoDallasGirl Aug 4th, 2007 10:30 PM

Sorry Woody. Didn't realize you were only kidding. :-0

DanB Aug 5th, 2007 03:33 AM

I moved from Chicago to New England three years ago. If I could have one Chicago pizza it would be a stuffed pizza from Giordanos. However, they are huge, so don't gorge yourself on them or you won't be able to eat for three days. I'd also say get one without meat. When you get a meat pizza in Chicago you pretty much get the whole cow. Meat and a Giordano's stuffed pizza equals overkill. This is definitely the most
unique Chicago pizza of the group. I used to get garlic and mushrooms. Delicious.

If you go to Giordano's, get the stuffed or don't bother.


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